Begonia plant named &#39;TESS&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct begonia plant with salmon colored double flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Begonia Elatior known by the varietal name ‘Tess’. The new variety was discovered in a planned breeding program as a single plant in a group of plants of the parent cultivar in Amstelveen, Netherlands, in 1998. The new variety is a mutation of ‘Line’ (unpatented). The new variety has lower foliage height and more petals than its parent. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Aalsmeer in February of 1999. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

[0002] The new variety, when grown in a glass greenhouse has a response time for rooting from a terminal cutting of 14 days.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0003] The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0004] The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions by cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

[0005] Classification:

[0006]Botanical.—Begonia Elatior.

[0007]Commercial.—Begonia.

[0008] Form: Upright.

[0009] Size: About 30 cm tall from top of media surface; 30 cm wide in 15 cm container 10 weeks after planting, with pinching.

[0010] Growth: Moderate.

[0011] Time to initiate roots: About 14 days at 22° C.

[0012] Time to develop roots: 18 days at 22° C.

[0013] Rooting habit: Fine.

[0014] Lateral branches:

[0015]Appearance/aspect.—Cylindrical; upright to somewhat outwardly angled.

[0016]Strength.—Very good.

[0017]Length.—About 19 cm.

[0018]Diameter.—About 1 cm.

[0019]Internode length.—About 3.8 cm.

[0020]Texture.—Mostly smooth with sparse small white hairs; fleshy.

[0021] Leaves:

[0022]Arrangement.—Alternate.

[0023]Shape.—Ovate-rounded with acute apex and cordate with overlap base.

[0024]Size.—15 cm long; 14 cm wide.

[0025]Quantity.—7 per lateral branch.

[0026]Petiole.—4.5 cm long; 5 mm diameter.

[0027]Stipules.—2 per leaf sized 5 mm×5 mm.

[0028]Margin.—Bi-crenate.

[0029]Texture.—Smooth; shiny and leathery.

[0030]Color.—Upper surface: Green Group 139A. Lower surface: Green Group 147B.

[0031]Venation.—Palmate; Green Group 136A.

[0032]Petiole.—About 4.5 cm long; 5 mm in diameter.

FLOWERS

[0033] Habit: Continuous flowering.

[0034] Size: 5 cm in diameter; 2 cm deep.

[0035] Tepals:

[0036]Arrangement.—Double; 14-20 tepals per flower.

[0037]Size.—2½ cm long; 4 cm wide.

[0038]Shape.—Oval.

[0039]Margin.—Entire.

[0040]Color.—Upper surface: Red Group 42B fading to Red Group 39A. Lower surface: Red Group 38A fading to Red Group 39B.

[0041] Flower buds: About 1.8 cm long (in autumn); about 1.3 cm wide.

[0042] Peduncles:

[0043]Angle.—Mostly erect.

[0044]Strength.—Strong but flexible.

[0045]Length.—About 3.5-4 cm.

[0046]Color.—Yellow-Green Group 146B.

[0047] Pedicels:

[0048]Angle.—About 30 to 45° from vertical.

[0049]Strength.—Strong but flexible.

[0050]Length.—About 1 cm.

[0051]Color.—Yellow-Green Group 146B.

[0052] Bracts:

[0053]Arrangement.—Two, opposite.

[0054]Shape.—Very broadly cordate; acute apex.

[0055]Margin.—Entire.

[0056]Color.—Light Green.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

[0057] Stamens: None observed.

[0058] Pistils: None observed.

[0059] Postproduction longevity:

[0060]Flowers.—3-4 weeks.

[0061]Plants.—7-8 weeks.

[0062] Disease resistance: Mildew tolerant.

[0063] Seed Production: Seed production has not been observed as reproductive organs are not formed. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of begonia plant substantially as shown and described. 